Probe into Cape tractor crash continues

Cape Town - Three men appeared in the Tulbagh Magistrate's Court on Monday in connection with a tractor accident that killed eight people, the national prosecuting authority said.

The culpable homicide case against Isaak Stuurman, James van Rooyen and Gert Engelbrecht was postponed to May 28 for completion of investigation, spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said.

Stuurman was driving the Caterpillar 631D earth-moving tractor on the Klein Berg River bridge in Gouda on January 30.

Two trucks approached the bridge. The first was able to brake in time but the second swerved, hit a stationary vehicle and then hit the tractor.

The bed of the truck was ripped off and flung into the river.

Eight people died and twenty-two were injured.

Both trucks were legally compliant. The tractor however, was illegally on the road.

Van Rooyen was the owner of the tractor. It was not immediately clear how Engelbrecht was connected to the accident.

Comments

Ang - 2012-04-02 20:53

Obviously the tractor is at fault... those huge bright yellow caterpillars are difficult to spot in the middle of the road until you right upon them. Good thing it wasnt a herd of elephants. (for the elephants that is)

tracy.moller - 2012-04-02 21:20

A truck carrying 30 people? Sure it was truck and not a bus news24? Truck with 30 people in farming community sounds a tad illegal.

Peter-Peter - 2012-04-03 13:43

hahaha...Tracy...what is this 'illegal' word you speak of? I deny knowing that there is a word like this 'illegal' you speak of. During Apartheid days, maybe the word was around then...but now that ANC have taken over, this word 'illegal' you speak of is from the white man, and no longer has place in our corrupt society

Ntamu Tokzik Baloyi - 2012-04-02 21:21

Classic story about disasters that result when attempting to save money at a compromise of personal and public safety. Well the farmers are joining the taxi drivers it seems.